Thistle v. Niger
Mike Malmquist
Had a nice flock of goldfinch that was regularly coming in to thistle-filled socks hung among our feeders. House finches also occasionally had a thistle snack. When socks were emptied of thistle we refilled with niger, as the neighborhood store had no thistle and we had read that niger was good substitute. About that time the goldfinches went AWOL and we haven't seen them since, leaving us to wonder whether it was coincidence or the seed (either a bad batch or niger just not attractive to Utah finches) . Anyone had any luck with niger and finches?
Tim Avery
Hey Mike,
Niger works great for me. I've never actually bought thistle (do they sell it as a standalone seed). I know some companies sell Niger under the name thistle given Goldfinches affinity for the seeds. But I'm probably not the right person to ask... I'm no seed expert :)
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Cheers
Tim
mwbirdco.com
timaverybirding.com
utahbirders.com
Had a nice flock of goldfinch that was regularly coming in to thistle-filled socks hung among our feeders. House finches also occasionally had a thistle snack. When socks were emptied of thistle we refilled with niger, as the neighborhood store had no thistle and we had read that niger was good substitute. About that time the goldfinches went AWOL and we haven't seen them since, leaving us to wonder whether it was coincidence or the seed (either a bad batch or niger just not attractive to Utah finches) . Anyone had any luck with niger and finches?
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Bill Fenimore Sr.
Mike:
Nyger (spelling changed to be politically correct) and Thistle are the same seed. It is harvested in Pakistan and regional countries there.
The seed is treated to prevent germination, since it is a nonnative.
The shipping and treatment is why it is more expensive than native seed.
Nyger is the one seed that can spoil. If it has an off odor change it. If it is seed from an older harvest year (say 2013) it loses oil, especially here in Utah with our low humidity. Buy fresh seed. We only handle seed from current harvest.
Regards,
Bill Fenimore
Wild About Birds Nature Center
Layton, Utah
Shyloh Monster
Nyjer/Thistle fun facts:
http://birding.about.com/od/birdfeeders/a/nyjer.htm
Shyloh
Had a nice flock of goldfinch that was regularly coming in to thistle-filled socks hung among our feeders. House finches also occasionally had a thistle snack. When socks were emptied of thistle we refilled with niger, as the neighborhood store had no thistle and we had read that niger was good substitute. About that time the goldfinches went AWOL and we haven't seen them since, leaving us to wonder whether it was coincidence or the seed (either a bad batch or niger just not attractive to Utah finches) . Anyone had any luck with niger and finches?
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Mike Malmquist
Thanks for all the great info on the thistle/nyjer question. The seed I am using is Pennington (with Cornell Lab of Ornithology emblem at top, signifying that Pennington supports Cornell's research), 10 lb. plastic bag, which was fully sealed when purchased about 3 weeks ago. The seed is dry , both in the bag and in the feeders. The bag says contents are "Bot. Guizotia Abyssinica" (which I understand to be nyjer) and "Thistle Seed", without specifying ratio. I wonder if the "Thistle Seed" designation on the contents label , given there is no detail of actual plant, is tricky way of denoting that nyjer is often called thistle, and all the seed in the bag is actually nyjer. There is a very slight odor to the seed in the bag, doesn't smell moldy or bad, but is a detectable smell, remeniscent of sunflower seed. Bag has a very small and nearly illegible stamp that might be a "Use By" date, which as best we can tell might say Feb. '15.
I am going to try and complete the "experiment" by seeing if I can get some "fresh" seed of same make/type and trying it. If goldfinches return and begin eating I will probably attribute to seed being stale and losing oil content as suggested by Billy Fennimore. If they don't return I'll try a different brand, maybe have to make the long trek up to Layton for Billy's secret stash.
Again, thanks for all the great info.
Mike
Kenny Frisch
Mike Malmquist
That could definitely be the case, and I suppose if the goldfinches are suddenly back when I change seed it could again just be coincidence. What got me thinking of this, in part, though, is that a house finch got on the nyjer very briefly this morning but kind of turned his nose up .... we'll see what happens with some fresh stuff on the menu!